Bookshop Day

This year on Bookshop Day (Sat 7th Oct), we are delighted to be celebrating 25 years of a modern classic and Mainstreet favourite, Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Patrick Benson.

‘This story came when I met a lost child at a supermarket counter, eyes round with fear, repeating again, and again, and again, “I want my mummy! I want my mummy! I want my mummy!” Every child understands the fear behind those words and the relief that comes with Patrick Benson’s extraordinarily powerful “AND SHE CAME” illustration. And I hope that every child can take away a feeling of warmth and reassurance from Owl Babies – that they understand that their fears are reasonable, and that the people who love them will always be here for them. I love my owls… particularly Bill.’ Martin Waddell

We are lucky enough to be joined by Patrick Benson as our illustrator-in-residence for Bookshop Day. As well as spending the day in the shop, Patrick will be giving a talk on his work, followed by a workshop.

‘The challenge for me, when illustrating Martin’s wonderful words, was the need to create a moonlit world which was realistically dark, but ultimately unthreatening. I hope it’s a world which helps children become less afraid of the night, and a world which reassures children that, no matter how far away, Mum will always be a comforting, protecting light in the darkness; Mum will always come back home.’ Patrick Benson